Reid burst into more laughter. Great. Evan would be hearing about this for days.
They planned to meet at their usual hangout, a bar a short drive away. Ringo’s Bar had great appetizers and killer dark ales. More than ready to sit down and eat, Evan entered and found Cash and his girlfriend, Jordan, sitting at a table, arguing over something.
“Man, he and Smith really do look alike,” Evan said once Reid had joined him by the entrance.
Reid nodded. “We’re still not sure how to handle it. I mean, it’s weird enough Smith is my half brother. But to know Cash is too? That Dad wasn’t Cash’s dad? Weird. Weirder to think Smith and Cash are actually full-on siblings.”
Evan had learned, along with his cousins, that his aunt Angela had been unfaithful. So while Uncle Charles was Reid’s dad, the man didn’t have any blood relation to Cash, which would explain the ugly family dynamics from years past.
“Sometimes it’s good to be an only child,” Evan said, meaning it, wondering if that was why Daniel, the phone thief, had acted out. Evan had done his share of rebellion growing up, though never to the extent of thievery. Or breaking the law. Or getting a detention.Man, I guess I am as boring as Sheila accused me of being.
But what could he do? Evan had responsibilities, a mother who needed him, and a career he cared about. Blowing it all off to spend a spur-of-the-moment getaway in Hawaii with Sheila, on his tab, didn’t make much sense. The sex would have been nice, but not when it came with so much attached. Ending it with her months ago had been a no-brainer, but now he had to consider her insults might have had merit.
Cash looked up and waved them over.
Reid tugged Evan with him. “No talking about Smith, okay?”
“You don’t have to tell me twice. Guy gets on my last damn nerve.”
Reid chuckled. “Yeah, he’s just like Cash.”
They reached the table, and Jordan scooted over in the booth. Before Reid could sit with her, Evan nudged him out of the way. “Let me sit next to the hot chick. You sit next to Conan.”
“Funny guy.” Cash grinned. He smiled a lot more now that he’d hooked up with Jordan, another veteran and fellow Vets on the Go! employee. With Cash and Jordan now living and working together, the jokes at work had been flying fast and free. And mostly by Smith, come to think of it.
Evan asked, “So when are you coming back to work? The cast comes off, what, in four more weeks?”
Cash nodded and held up his left arm, still in a cast.
Jordan frowned. “No, the doctor said eight weeks.”
“Actually, he said six to eight weeks. It’s been two weeks since I got the cast. So doing the math,” Cash said slowly, as if speaking to someone not so bright, “that’s four more weeks.”
Jordan’s scowl spoke volumes.
Evan and Reid shared a grin. Cash had a habit of trying to boss everyone around. At six foot four and armed with muscles and the know-how to use them, he normally won. But with Jordan, the outcome of any argument was sixty–forty…in her favor. An Army vet and prior military police, Jordan didn’t take crap. From anyone.
“So before you two get into a slapfest, how about pretzel bites on me?” The frowns Evan received for “slapfest” disappeared at the mention of free food.
“Fine.” Jordan huffed.
“Good.” Cash nodded.
Evan left to order and returned to his seat to hear Cash ask Reid, “Where’s Naomi?”
“Had a late meeting with a new client. And no, I’m not worried. I trust her,” Reid said before Cash could tease him. “Naomi’s doing some PR work for Jennings Tech. You remember Chris Jennings, Evan?”
“Chris Jennings. That geek who’s now a millionaire? Man, I knew Chris’s brother in the Corps. Hell, I set up logistics for his platoon for a few exercises. He’s a good guy and still in that I know of.” Out in the field, Marines needed supplies, and Evan’s job had been to coordinate and oversee logistical support. “I remember Matt talking about Chris, surprised his little brother had joined.”
Reid smiled. “I know. Small world. Cash and I both knew him overseas, and we’re still renting his house.”
“You mean you’re renting until you officially move in with Naomi,” Jordan cut in, “and Cash moves the rest of his stuff into your mom’s house. I mean, your house.”
“Ourhouse,” Cash corrected her, warmth in his eyes.
Wow. Had his oldest cousin changed. Still a hard-ass, but now Cash showed his affection. Funny what love could do to a guy. “Speaking of moms,” Evan said, “my mother is demanding a family dinner. So don’t even think of putting her off again.”
Reid flinched. “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just been so busy…”
